Jason paced around in his study with his arms crossed and wore a stern frown as he was deep in thought. Henry was dead after abusing his power and forcing himself on young women and the man responsible for his death had to be punished, no matter how right he was to act as a father. He let out a heavy sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.[color=ed1c24] "Damn it, first act as lord and it had to be such a pain in the ass,"[/color] he muttered and sat onto his bed before running his hands through his hair. With a lowered head he shook his head. Henry deserved his fate, but the father had to meet some sort of judgment that fit his crime. [color=ed1c24]"What the hell am I gonna do?"[/color]
 
Brienna couldn't understand how she had lived her and not known what was going on. Had she really been that sheltered? She took the girl to the cook and let her handle the girl while she went to speak to Jason. She found him in the study pacing back and forth. Shutting the door she went to him and slid her arms around his waist and put her head against his chest for a moment. 

[color=f6989d]"Please tell me forcing women is not allowed in the future?" [/color]

Jason looked down to Brienna and shook his head. [color=ed1c24]"No, its not allowed. If a man were to force himself on a woman where I come from he would get his ass kicked before the law got to him,"[/color] he said before looking away. [color=ed1c24]"Though there are some cases where a few places in the world turn a blind eye to it,"[/color] he sighed and shook his head before pulling her in closer. [color=ed1c24]"I will never allow something like this to happen again, I promise you,"[/color] he swore before gently kissing her forehead. He frowned and pulled away. [color=ed1c24]"But murder is something that can not go unpunished, not even in this case,"[/color] he said. [color=ed1c24]"You understand that, right?"[/color]

Brienna understood the need for justice and she said, [color=f6989d]"....but he was defending his daughter. It's not like he went looking for him. The man was trying to take her to rape her. Doesn't that count for something? Can't we punish him another way?"[/color]

Jason avoided eye contact with Brienna and sighed. [color=ed1c24]"Im not a father, but I can understand why he did the deed," [/color]he paused as he tried to find the right words. [color=ed1c24]"But to take the law into his own hands and take the filthy bastards life was not his job. I may be a new lord, but law and order is what Im suppose to keep in line. Plus if I were to let him off with murder, how do you think the others would see it? That they could kill another as long as they have a justified motive? That would cause nothing but chaos,"[/color] he said and looked to her with guilty eyes. [color=ed1c24]"I want to let him off, but I must take the role of Lord and give him a fitting punishment. Even if I must look like a heartless bastard,"[/color] he finished as he slightly tightened his grip around her. 

Brienna nodded slowly and wondered how he was going to teach people who were acting like  animals to behave like humans. She went to say something and thought better of it. She was not the queen's bodyguard any longer. Stepping back from him she smiled. [color=f6989d]"I understand. You could put him on hard labor for a couple of years and he might sleep in the prison with only visits through the bars to see his daughter. That would be punishment would it not?"[/color] Brienna glanced up at his eyes and saw the frustration and guilt in them. 

Jason shook his head. [color=ed1c24]"Thats what I thought, but I spoke with my Captains and they said it was not good enough," [/color]he said and rose to his feet before walking to his study's window. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist in frustration as he remembered their choices. [color=ed1c24]"I was suggested two choices, he be put up in public and given twenty lashes to the back and two years in the dungeon, or..."[/color] he paused before turning to Brienna with sorrow filled eyes.[color=ed1c24] "Death,"[/color] he muttered loud enough before looking back through the window. [color=ed1c24]"Those are our choices, both are not ideal, but fit the crime,"[/color] he stated. He was silent for a moment before crossing his arms and sighing heavily. What was he to do?

Brienna thought about it a moment and said, [color=f6989d]"He is strong. Give him the lashes, medical treatment and the prison for two years. That way he is punished but his daughter doesn't have to lose her father permanently."[/color] She realized suddenly that she was probably out of line speaking to her husband so openly but smiled in relief that it was Jason and that she could be herself with him and not be forced to be submissive just because she was a woman.

[color=f6989d]"That is my recommendation. To kill him would punish the child for a lifetime. There is another way that works."[/color] She reached up and kissed his lips lightly and smiled softly at him.[color=f6989d] "I'll go see how supper is coming."[/color]

Jason nodded and looked back to Brienna with a smile. [color=ed1c24]"Thank you Brienna,"[/color] he said and walked to the door with her. [color=ed1c24]"I will go see him in the dungeons to tell him personally what his punishment will be,"[/color] he said and placed a kiss on her cheek. [color=ed1c24]"See you at supper,"[/color] he said and parted from Brienna while hiding his uneasy frown. 

Brienna went to the kitchen to see how things were going and the cook was beside herself with worry over the girl. Brienna hugged the girl and comforted her that her father was not going to die.


Jason took a deep breath as the guards of the dungeons opened the doors and lead him to the fathers cell. A frown came to his lips as he saw the father sitting silently at the end of the cell and looked to the guard to his right. [color=ed1c24]"Could you bring me a chair?"[/color] the guard nodded and quickly brought Jason a chair to rest on.

[color=f7941d]"Sorry if its not the most comfortable seat my Lord,"[/color] the guard apologized. Jason chuckled as he took the seat. 

[color=ed1c24]"Dont worry about it, this will do,"[/color] he said before turning his attention to the father. He sat up straight and sighed before speaking. [color=ed1c24]"So, not the best day is it?" [/color]

The father looked to be about 35 or so and in good physical shape. His hair was short and neat. He had kept his appearance up better than most in the village and now he sat quietly waiting for his new lord to decide his fate. At his words he looked up at him and shook his head slowly.[color=lightblue] "No, not the best. I ask only one thing, please make sure my daughter is looked after and cared for. She has no mother and I'm all she has."[/color]

Jason nodded. [color=ed1c24]"Your daughter shall be looked after, I will personally see to that," [/color]he promised before clearing his throat. [color=ed1c24]"As for your punishment, you will recieve a public lashing and spend two years within these dungeons. There will be twenty lashes and I will be the one to deliver them,"[/color] he said with clenched fist. The guilt was deep in his heart, but he didnt show it. 

The father nodded slowly and looked at him curiously.[color=lightblue] "May I ask you why you aren't putting me to death? That is the way it has been done in the past. A life for a life, except women are treated like cattle out here by most men. I couldn't stand by and let my daughter be..."[/color] The man had to catch himself before his own pain were to run down his face. [color=lightblue]"She is all I have left of her mother." [/color]

Jason shrugged and chuckled dryly. [color=ed1c24]"I guess I just dont want to see a girl lose her only remaining family member. Plus, Im tired of seeing death and if I can I want to avoid it,"[/color] he said and rubbed his chin. [color=ed1c24]"I will see that women of all ages are protected from such a nasty crime, so know that your daughter will never have to worry about being taken advantage of by pigs like Henry,"[/color] he finished with a small smile. 

The father gave a sad smile and nodded. [color=lightblue]"For that I thank you my lord." [/color]About that moment the father broke into a wide smile and the young woman ran to the bars [color=yellow]"father!"[/color]

Brienna was with her and walked more slowly than the daughter. She was sad that there was going to be such a long time for them with bars between them.[color=f6989d] "M'lord I have given Emily a job in the kitchens and she is going to stay here, in the servants quarters. She will be able to bring her father his meals and she will be well looked after. I hope that is alright with everyone."[/color] Brienna smiled knowing Jason wouldn't mind.

Jason smiled and nodded as he rose from his seat. [color=ed1c24]"Thats fine, I was thinking of giving her a job here anyways,"[/color] he said and looked to the girl. [color=ed1c24]"You are free to see your father anytime you are free and please feel free to ask me for any help you may need,"[/color] he said as he held up his arm for his wife. [color=ed1c24]"Anyway, I think we should let these two speak for a while. Shall we?"[/color] he asked with a smile as he glanced to Brienna. 

Brienna slid her arm around her husband's waist as he reached her side. [color=f6989d]"It feels so strange being back here. I was at the castle for so long. It's like a whole other life here. Don't you feel it like that too?"[/color] Stopping she realized he hadn't only this to compare it too and wondered if he was also thinking about his old life in the future. They were at the top of the stairs and she pulled him into the dining room. She left him there for only a moment and came back with a large picnic basket and a blanket. 

[color=f6989d]"It's so nice out I thought we might eat outside by the lake. It's also nice and private there."[/color] Brienna had horses already waiting outside and in just a few moments they were at the lake and sitting on the blanket opening up their food. 

Feeling a little insecure in her world as it had changed so much she wondered. [color=f6989d]"If you were given the oportunity would you go back to your future world?"[/color]

Jason looked to Brienna before looking up into the sky with a straight.[color=ed1c24] "Would I go back?" [/color]he muttered to himself. [color=ed1c24]"Well, everything I left is still very precious to me and I miss my family every second of the day,"[/color] he said and looked to Brienna with a smile. [color=ed1c24]"But coming here and meeting you has been the greatest thing to ever happen to me,"[/color] he chuckled and held her hand gently. [color=ed1c24]"Im here with you and I couldn't be happier. So no, I would stay here by your side,"[/color] he finished with a grin. 

Brienna was a little suprised to hear that he wouldn't go back.[color=f6989d] "Really? You mean all of the violence and bloodshed hasn't put you off yet?"[/color] She chuckled softly and leaned over and kissed him tenderly on the lips. [color=f6989d]"I'm glad you would stay by my side. I'd likely be Elizabeth's maid for life if you weren't here. And I'd rather be with you." [/color]She handed him a plate with his supper on it and made her own. 

[color=f6989d]"I want to thank you for the father's sentence. With her at the house we can look after her and she can save a little money while he is in there. I wouldn't want her on her own with him in prison. I think she would likey be in more trouble that way."[/color]

Brienna put her plate down and looked out over the water.

[@joker892]